Ta-Nehisi Coates Seattle Arts & Lectures presents the preeminent commentator on race and American society today, discussing his forthcoming book We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy (which includes an interview with Barack Obama) with Ruth Dickey. (Sold out, but standby tickets may be available.) Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., lectures.org. $40. 7:30 p.m. Sun., Nov. 5.